Build your own meals popular in Asian cuisine

Ramen is moving from the dorm to restaurants, but you can also customize it for home dining. (Denver Post photo by Cyrus McCrimmon)

While many an American table is familiar with occasional meals where personalized tastes make up a plate (think Taco Tuesday), in Asian cuisine that idea is common. Rather than rely on the one-dimensional family-style dishes we’re familiar with, in Korean Barbecue, Japanese Shabu Shabu, and Ramen noodle bars, the taste of the person eating dictates the outcome.

Lovers of Korean Barbeque will head to local award-winner Dae Gee. The Westminster restaurant, whose porcine logo is its namesake, is opening another location in September. Per tradition, Galbee ribs are made to order on a tabletop grill, while a flurry of tiny side dishes known as banchan dot the table. The sides vary from spicy Korean sauerkraut (kim chee) to garlicky broccoli kissed with sesame oil, potato salad, and tofu in chili sauce that can be sampled as the meat cooks or enjoyed over rice as desired. 7570 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster; 720-540-0700 daegee.com

Shabu Shabu takes its name from the swishing sound of thin slices of meat as it cooks in a bowl of broth. A hot pot of kombu broth houses a pile of udon noodles and vegetables like cabbage, carrots, green onions, nori, and enoki mushrooms. Diners can add tofu or thinly sliced ribeye steak to the soup, along with ponzu (citrus soy) sauce or a goma (sesame) sauce. Those wanting the shabu shabu experience should venture to North Denver’s Kobe An, 3400 Osage St.; 303-284-6342; kobedenver.com

Similarly, the ramen trend sweeping the country revamps the dorm-room classic we all remember. A pile of curly noodles swim in broth, but the combination of the other ingredients is up to the eater. Broth can be made from pork, chicken, beef, or miso and topped with everything from chicken meatballs to corn. Denverites are waiting with bated breath for renowned local chef Jeff Osaka to open Osaka Ramen later this fall, where he’ll source his ramen from Sun Noodle, the same purveyor that New York Ramen-noodle mecca Momofuku uses. Osaka’s touted restaurant, Twelve, closed recenty, and his summer Ramen pop-ups have been a raging success. 2611 Walnut St., 303-319-0948; osakaramen.com

We have to wait until December for the real deal, but this DIY ramen noodle recipe can give the family a build-your-own-version at home. Here’s a recipe idea for an individual serving.